Method of timing hand washing

ABSTRACT

A hand washing device and method encouraging hand washing includes a display panel, a message “WASH UP with Soap and Water. Get rid of germs in only 15 seconds.” and may have one of a variety of timing means to time the wash cycle or the user may use an ordinary clock. Germ illustrations indicate consequences. The panel is on personal and public use soap dispensers and return springs are used as the timing device.

This continuation application claims priority to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/957,345, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,916, filed Sep.20, 2001, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/252,401, filed Nov. 20, 2000, each incorporated byreference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to devices and methods for encouraging persons towash their hands with soap and for longer than the usual hand washingtime intervals.

BACKGROUND ART

There is a high incidence of communicable diseases in the U.S. as wellas throughout the entire world. The American Society of Microbiologistshas indicated that adequate hand washing will greatly reduce theincidence of communicable diseases. There is special concern for suchcontacts as person to person, person to pets, persons to children,persons to home food, persons to public food, persons to money, personscoughing and sneezing, persons use of home bathrooms and persons use ofpublic restrooms. Recent surveys have revealed that nearly 95 percent ofthe people claim to have washed their hands after use of publicrestrooms but actual observations reveal that this figure does notexceed 66 percent.

There is also a tendency to hurry up the hand washing process and do acursory job for only several seconds and this is believed inadequate.Failure to wash hands adequately may result in the spreading of colds,diarrhea, and other infectious diseases such as meningitis, flu andother viruses.

Several prior patents relate to hand washing.

Gorra U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,910 discloses method and apparatus formonitoring and reporting hand washing. Allen et al. U.S. Pat. No.5,781,942 discloses wash stations and method of operation which monitorshand washing and assists in hand washing. Stone U.S. Pat. No. 2,926,487discloses a tooth brush holder and a timer for encouraging toothbrushing.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A hand washing display device and method preferably located adjacent ahand washing facility for encouraging hand washing which includes adisplay panel, a first message indicia on the display panel encouraginghand washing longer than a minimum time interval, preferably fifteenseconds, a second message indicia on the display panel depicting germsfor indicating consequences for not washing according to the firstmessage and timing means in the form of an hour glass or a digital clockindicating that time has exceeded the predetermined minimum timeinterval of the first message indicia. Soap dispensers are one way ofsupporting the panel and the springs are used as the timing devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Details of this invention are described in connection with theaccompanying drawings which like parts bear similar reference numeralsin which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a display device embodying featuresof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a modified display device embodyingfeatures of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the device shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front fragmentary perspective view of the device shown inFIG. 3 with an adhesive added to the back and mounted to a flat supportsurface.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a display device shown in FIGS. 3and 4 on a personal soap dispenser with the down position for the soapdispensing plunger shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modification of the displaydevice shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 using a weighted plunger.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a modification of the display device shownin FIGS. 6 and 7 showing a set screw.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modification of the displaydevice shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 showing a squeeze clamp.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of the deviceshown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of a display device embodying featuresof the present invention on another form of soap dispenser.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 13 showing theinternal coil spring for controlling the return time for the dispensinglever.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a displaydevice 12 adapted to be located preferably at a hand washing facilitywhich device 12 encourages hand washing. The device 12 shown includes adisplay panel 14 in the form of a poster board or backing sheet having afirst message indicia encouraging persons to wash their hands with soapand water for at least fifteen seconds. The panel is of a rigid materialto be free standing if required. The time period of 15 seconds isconsiderably longer than the usual hand washing time and is selected totake into account the human tendency to do less than instructed. While atime period of 10 seconds may be adequate dealing with most bacteria a15 second message is preferred. Warm water is preferred. The messageindicia 19 shown is: “WASH UP! with Soap and Water. Get rid of germs inonly 15 seconds.”

The second message indicia 16 on the display panel depicts several germsin an illustrative form for indicating the consequences for not washingaccording to the first message indicia. A timer 18 shown as an hourglassindicates that the washing time has reached or exceeded thepredetermined time interval indicated by the time indicia 21, “15seconds”. The hourglass 18 mounted on a central pivot 20 supported bythe panel 14 that would be turned over to retime and indicates fifteenseconds has elapsed when the lower portion has filled with sand. While atimer or timing means is shown it is understood that the device may beeffective with the user using an ordinary clock such as a wrist watch,household clock, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 the second embodiment shows the samearrangement of display panel 14, indicia 15 and indicia 16 but has adigital clock 22 displaying numbers instead of an hourglass to indicatea minimum time interval indicated by the timer indicia 23 of “15seconds”. Clock 22 has a reset button 24.

Referring now to FIG. 5 there is shown the display device 12 having thedisplay panel 14 provided with an adhesive or adhesive layer 26 on theback surface that mounts and secures the panel 14 to a flat supportsurface 27, typically a mirror above a private or public hand washingfacility.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 there is shown a display panel 14 on thefront wall of a personal use soap dispenser 31. The personal use soapdispenser 31 includes a container 32 having a neck 33 with a top opening34 through which liquid hand soap can be poured to fill the container.The neck 33 has external threads 35. A pump assembly 37 removable fromthe container 32 includes a hollow plunger 38 in the form of a tube witha hollow depressible top handle 39 extending out at right angles to theplunger tube 38. The outer end of the handle 39 terminates in adischarge opening 41. The plunger 38 fits in an outer tube 42 thatextends down into the container and has an intake opening 43 in thebottom thereof through which soap will pass when pumped. A cap 44 withinternal threads 45 telescopes over the tube at the top and is retainedby a top collar 47. The cap 44 has threads on the neck 33. A coil spring48 inside the outer tube 42 is compressed by the plunger 38 when theplunger is moved down and is returned to the up position by the actionof the spring 46. A reward symbol 49 in the form of a happy face isprovided on the plunger that appears when the plunger has returned tothe up position after 15 seconds. The indicia 15 is marked on the happyface to indicate the selected time interval.

The tension on the spring 48 is selected to return the plunger in 15seconds. The tension in the spring may be weakened so the plunger willtake a selected time to return. This then serves as a timing device forthe hand washing cycle. An alternative to the weakened spring would beto provide a weight 51 in the plunger handle as shown in FIG. 8 so thatthe plunger will return to the up position in the selected time intervalof 15 seconds.

The time interval can be controlled by various types of drag means onthe plunger 38 which would include a set screw 53 that threads into thecollar 47 and is adjusted to engage the plunger 38 as is shown in FIG.9. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 the drag may be provided by using asqueeze clamp 55 mounted to the top of collar 47 which is contracted andexpanded by means of a bolt 56 and nut 58 that grasp the plunger 38 toprovide a selected drag.

Finally, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 that is provided a series ofaxially spaced circumferentially extending protrusions 59 on theperiphery of the plunger 38 that bear against a protrusion 61 on flange47 to provide a drag on the plunger.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14 there is shown a display panel on thefront of another type of soap dispenser 71 frequently found in publicplaces and herein referred to as a public use soap dispenser. Dispenser71 has a dispenser outlet 72 together with a dispensing lever 73 whichupon downward movement against the action of a coil spring 74 will causethe soap to be dispensed. The tension on the spring 74 is selected toreturn the lever in the selected time interval of 15 seconds.

It is generally agreed by numerous sources that washing with soap andwater or an antibacterial liquid is a very effective measure forprevention of many diseases. The display devices of the presentinvention is attractive as well as encourages hand washing. The devicemakes a definite suggestion as to the time required for a trulyeffective hand wash. The device is simple and amusing and provides ameans to time the hand washing procedure. It is believed that thedisplay device would greatly increase the frequency of adequate handwashing in the home, public restrooms, restaurants, grocery stores andother work places. The display device is 1) a polite reminder to washthe hands with soap and water, 2) a highly illustrative drawing of germswhich should be most unwelcome to anyone's hands, 3) a simple butamusing device to time the hand washing procedure with the time beingconsiderably longer than the usual wash cycle plus it is believed to bepsychologically effective in stressing that only fifteen seconds isneeded, and 4) it is believed to allow for a simple procedure toencourage adequate hand washing and if followed will make great stridesagainst the spread of germs. The term “germs” as used herein refers toall pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, Rickettsia, andthe like.

Although the present invention has been described with a certain degreeof particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has beenmade by way of example and that changes in details of structure may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method to time handwashing, comprising thesteps of: a) providing a container; b) establishing a hand wash soap insaid container; c) generating travel in a reciprocal means of a soapdispenser element from a first position to a second position; d)dispensing said hand wash soap from said container; e) activating areturn element coupled to said reciprocal means to return saidreciprocal means from said second position to said first position in atime interval; and f) providing a time interval control element coupledto said reciprocal means which allows adjustment of said time intervalto a selected hand wash time interval.
 2. The method to time handwashingas described in claim 1, wherein said step generating travel in areciprocal means of a soap dispenser element from a first position to asecond position comprises generating travel in a plunger from a firstposition to a second position.
 3. The method to time handwashing asdescribed in claim 2, wherein said step of providing a time intervalcontrol element coupled to said reciprocal means which allows adjustmentof said time interval to a selected hand wash time interval comprisesthe step of providing a drag means coupled to said reciprocal meanswhich allows adjustment of said time interval to a selected hand washtime interval.
 4. The method to time handwashing as described in claim3, wherein said step of providing a drag means coupled to saidreciprocal means which allows adjustment of said time interval to aselected hand wash time interval comprises the step of adjustingengagement of a set screw with said plunger.
 5. The method to timehandwashing as described in claim 3, wherein said step of providing adrag means coupled to said reciprocal means which allows adjustment ofsaid time interval to a selected hand wash time interval comprises thestep of adjusting engagement of a squeeze clamp with said plunger. 6.The method to time handwashing as described in claim 3, wherein saidstep of providing a drag means coupled to said reciprocal means whichallows adjustment of said time interval to a selected hand wash timeinterval comprises the step of coupling a series of axially spacedcircumferential protrusions coupled to said plunger which slidely engagea surface of said container.
 7. The method to time handwashing asdescribed in claim 2, wherein said step of providing a time intervalcontrol element coupled to said reciprocal means which allows adjustmentof said time interval to a selected hand wash time interval comprisesthe step of providing an amount of weight coupled to said reciprocalmeans which allows adjustment of said time interval to a selected handwash time interval.
 8. The method to time handwashing as described inclaim 2, wherein said step of activating a return element coupled tosaid reciprocal means to return said reciprocal means from said secondposition to said first position in a time interval comprises the step ofgenerating an amount of tension in a spring adjusted to return saidreciprocal means from said second position to said first position insaid selected hand wash time interval.
 9. The method to time handwashingas described in claim 2, further comprising the step of coupling anindicia to said plunger which becomes visible when said plunger returnsto said first position.
 10. The method to time handwashing as describedin claim 2, further comprising the step of selecting said indiciacoupled to said plunger from the group consisting of a happy face, amark, and a symbol.
 11. The method to time handwashing as described inclaim 1, wherein said step of generating travel in a reciprocal means ofa soap dispenser element from a first position to a second positioncomprises the step of generating travel in a dispenser lever from afirst position to a second position.
 12. The method to time handwashingas described in any one of claims 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, or 11, furthercomprising the step of adjusting said selected hand wash time intervalto provide a duration of time between about 10 seconds and about 20seconds.